Knowledge Symposium
In March 2009, the Council of Michigan Foundations (CMF) and Diversity in Philanthropy Project (DPP) co-hosted an invitational event called the Symposium on Diversity & Inclusion in Philanthropy: The Michigan Experience at the Westin Book Cadillac Detroit. The Symposium is a key event in CMF’s Transforming Michigan Philanthropy Through Diversity & Inclusion (TMP) initiative.
Designed for CEOs, trustees and program staff working specifically on diversity and inclusion issues in their foundation, the Symposium explored how (1) increasing diversity and inclusive practice within Michigan’s philanthropic sector can increase effectiveness and improve social impact; and (2) identified opportunities for inspiring and supporting action across the sector in Michigan and the nation.
More than 80 staff and trustees representing 20 Michigan foundations, CMF, DPP and leading national partner organizations came together to go beyond the usual conversation and create an action-oriented plan by:
- Discovering existing strengths in Michigan’s philanthropic sector for increasing diversity and inclusive practice
- Building a shared vision for a diverse and inclusive philanthropic sector
- Committing to individual and/or collective action
SYMPOSIUM PREPARATION
Prior to the event, partners CMF and DPP worked closely together to develop themes and engaging sessions for the Symposium. These were informed by more than 40 interviews of national leaders and CEOs, senior staff and trustees of the 20 participating foundations. Read the full landscape scan report here.
Also critical to the event design was CMF’s Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Committee and a Symposium Advisory Group.
Learn about the Knowledge Symposium and CMF’s Transforming Michigan Philanthropy Through Diversity & Inclusion initiative in this short video:
PHOTO GALLERIES
GRAPHIC RECORDER SESSION SUMMARIES & OUTCOMES
Ronna Alexander, a professional graphic recorder was onsite to produce a dynamic visual record of the Symposium, including images and key ideas from the presentations and discussions. Each chart captures participants’ conversations, experiences and ideas. Please click on any of the graphics below to learn more and add your response or reflections in the comments area.
KNOWLEDGE SYMPOSIUM IN ACTION
Materials
- Full Report: Building Diverse and Inclusive Foundations ~ Lessons from Michigan [PDF]
This landscape scan explores the question of “what does it take to build a foundation’s ability to constructively address diversity and inclusion, so that it maximizes its effectiveness and impact?” from the perspective of foundation CEOs, trustees and staff, and national diversity experts from within and outside the philanthropic sector. It summarizes the ways Michigan foundation leaders and national experts define diversity, the reasons they believe diversity is valuable to their institutions and the field, their thoughts on the challenges that make building diverse and inclusive foundations so difficult, and examples of their on-the-ground experiences implementing diversity efforts in their institutions. - Executive Summary: Building Diverse and Inclusive Foundations ~ Lessons from Michigan [PDF]
- Review of Michigan Foundations’ Organizational Policies for Diversity and Inclusive Practice [PDF]
The results of the Community Research Institute’s analysis of the organizational policies of 11 Michigan foundations to obtain a snapshot of the extent to which foundations with varying levels of explicit commitment to being diverse and inclusive formalize that commitment in their policies. More specifically, this exploratory research sought to (1) determine the extent to which foundations’ policies related to diversity and inclusion align with those found in the literature; and (2) synthesize the policy elements both present in and absent from foundation policies. - CMF’s Symposium On Diversity & Inclusion Sparks Discussion, Ideas And Hope
Posted: 4/20/2009 - CMF NewsWire
In a successful kick-off to CMF’s five-year initiative, Transforming Michigan Philanthropy Through Diversity and Inclusion (TMP), CMF and the Diversity in Philanthropy Project (DPP) co-sponsored a Symposium on Diversity & Inclusion in Philanthropy: The Michigan Experience last month in Detroit. As a result, a conversation about how to grow and sustain diversity and inclusive practices within Michigan’s foundation community is now underway among 20 Michigan foundations, CMF, DPP and leading national experts. - Knowledge Symposium - Participant Roster [PDF]
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